Poor Credit Crafts | Mr X Stitch

With the world feeling increasingly like we've all stepped 'through the looking glass', it's more important than ever to surround ourselves with the beautiful, inspiring and life-affirming people and things that thankfully make up the majority – even though it may not feel like it at times. Over the two years I have been writing these 'Exploring Etsy' features I have had the privilege of sharing with you all, the exquisite and powerful work of needle crafters from across the globe. The vast majority of these are women, using their needles, felting, embroidery etc. as wonderful creative megaphones broadcasting their own unique voices worldwide. Rather appropriately, searching for male needle crafters who sell on Etsy is much like looking for a needle in a haystack, many an hour has been sacrificed to this quest, so if perchance you know of an awesome Etsy needlcrafter with that special Y chromosome, please do point me in their direction. For many, including myself, opening an Etsy shop has been a very liberating experience creating incredible opportunities to connect with many wonderful and talented people. One such fabulous maker is Amanda Marsh whose shop, 'Poor Credit Crafts', is a riotous explosion of colour and sassy embroidery, featuring the occasional swearword (you've been warned!). Amanda is based stateside in Dallas, Texas and has a BFA in Studio Art. By day she currently works as a production artist for a cheerleading uniform manufacturer. Mom to one fur child, her cat Sniffles, she's engaged to her badass fiancé Jeff and planning an April Fool's Day wedding. I'm sure you'll all join me in wishing her a very wonderful day and a kick ass start to her married life. What is your earliest stitching memory? My mom used to cross stitch a lot when I was younger. I always enjoyed watching as her projects came to life as she filled in the canvas with little x's. She taught me how to cross stitch and gave me small samplers to stitch up. I picked it back up in college after an 'Intro to Fibers' class reminded me how much I enjoyed it. I've always struggled with anxiety/depression and I found that cross stitch and embroidery helped me get out of my own head and calm down. What fires your imagination? Over time, my work has changed and morphed. Recently, I've incorporated some more color/pattern play into my work. I've enjoyed trying to push myself out of my tight structured comfort zone with some more freeform stitching. For a chance to see more wonderful embroidery with attitude make sure to visit Amanda's shop. Until we meet again next month I shall bid you all adieu, stay your wonderful bad ass selves 'til then. ----- Jessica Taylor aka Loadofolbobbins is a Textile Artist and Illustrator based by the sea in Portsmouth. At her happiest with a needle and thread, with a passion for genealogy she often explores old photographs in her Textile art. With her fingers in many creative pies she loves to experiment with new techniques, creating illustrated and stitched goodies for her new Etsy shop.